Healthcare New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Physical Therapist Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median physical therapist salary in New Orleans, LA is $95,766 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 7.7% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$95,766
vs State Avg
+$6,841
vs National
$-1,954
Cost of Living
98%

Physical Therapist Pay in New Orleans: What to Expect (2026)

New Orleans offers a median physical therapist salary of $95,766, which is $6,841 above the Louisiana state average of $88,925. Compared to the national median of $97,720, New Orleans pays below the national benchmark for this role.

New Orleans's cost of living is 98% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in New Orleans spans from $65,464 at the 10th percentile to $127,596 at the 90th percentile — a $62,132 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,640, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $125,440. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $66,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $125,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,640
$-1,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$96,040
$-1,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$125,440
$-2,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $65,464
25th Percentile $78,596
Median (50th) $95,766
75th Percentile $114,072
90th Percentile $127,596

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$89,902
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$85,994
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$84,039
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$83,062
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Physical Therapist in New Orleans

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. New Orleans and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in New Orleans may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open physical therapist positions in New Orleans, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Physical Therapist make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $95,766 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $65,464 (10th percentile) to $127,596 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,766, a physical therapist in New Orleans earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
New Orleans's median physical therapist salary of $95,766 is 7.7% above the Louisiana state average of $88,925. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in New Orleans, LA? ▼
New Orleans has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $95,766 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in New Orleans? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in New Orleans require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.